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Italy 9-26 Wales: Red Dragons conquer Azzuri in Rome

Wales’ hopes of retaining their Six Nations title were boosted by a 26-9 win over Italy in Rome.

The Red Dragons can’t win the Grand Slam but find themselves hot on England’s tail after their second victory of the tournament.

Rob Howley’s men took a seventh minute lead as Leigh Halfpenny fired over a penalty as the Italians crept offiside but the hosts were level just three minutes later as Kristopher Burton put a kick between the posts. And at half time the score was 6-9 as the two nations traded penalties.

Four minutes into the second period Jonathan Davies struck lucky as an awkward bounce saw the ball skew away from two Italy backs and, after kicking the ball forward, he slid the ball over for a try, which Halfpenny converted.

A penalty apiece then made it 9-19 but Italy’s hopes of coming back were ended when Martin Castrogiovanni was sin binned and, almost immediately after, Cuthbert crossed the tryline to make it 9-26 and seal victory for Wales.